Reading Exodus 1–3 with Indian migrant workers in Singapore: a dialogic approach

ABSTRACT

This study investigated how Indian Christian low-wage migrant workers in Singapore responded to the text of Exodus 1–3 in light of their real-life experiences, through a dialogic methodology of contextual bible reading based on Gerald West’s approach of ‘reading with’ marginalized groups. The migrant workers responded well to this methodology and were able to articulate unusual and counter-hegemonic readings. They tacitly read against the ideological grain of the narrative of Exodus 1–3, by problematizing the underlying ideology of difference that legitimizes nationalism and violence against the Other. They also highlighted the presence of inter-ethnic and inter-religious prejudice and violence in Singapore, even within the migrant worker community, and the discrimination they suffered as low-wage foreign workers. Their reading suggests that if Exodus is to be read for liberation in the Singaporean context, it can begin by calling people to be liberated from their prejudice and violence against the Other.

KEYWORDS:

• Exodus
• contextual bible reading
• dialogism
• migrant workers
• liberation theology
• hidden transcripts

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge Dr Eric Stoddart from the School of Divinity, University of St Andrews, for his guidance and supervision of this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Dr. Winston Chin is a medical doctor and public health professional from Singapore, who completed a MLitt (Bible and Contemporary World) with the School of Divinity, University of St. Andrews, Scotland.